Andrew Brandou Opens the Funk Drawer

Grass Hut Gallery brings us another fantastic surprise show, this one from master Andrew Brandou. In this mini-show, "From The Funk Drawer," Mr. Brandou brings us items that have been stored away from sight. Now, lucky us!, Grass Hut is putting them up for sale.

From Grass Hut:

Andrew Brandou is a flipping wizard in a large cone-shaped hat when it comes to brushwork. He has the skill-set to paint anything in any style he chooses. Lush natural settings, brightly colored flowers, day of the dead, or even Audoban nature/pop art scenery. His more commonly reoccurring characters in the vein of vintage Richard Scarry and Gustaf Tenggren, but always with a twist. His characters look so innocent, but often are doing something a little sinister.

The show opens tonight, August 31st, 2008. Go here to see the show when it appears.



Andrew Brandou's From the Funk Drawer at Grass Hut Gallery

United Airlines Commericials

Did you see United Airline's new commercials during the Beijing Olympics telecast? They almost made us want to get on a United flight again. Until we remembered that last time we did we paid an extra $15 per bag, $5 for a crappy "snack", $2 for a soda, and were not even offered an envelope in which to contain the myriad tickets and boarding passes we needed for all of our flights. The customer service rep claimed that the abolition of ticket envelopes was an attempt to save paper and trees. And yet the so-called e-tickets are converted into 10 separate pieces of paper upon check-in. Hypocrites AND cheap-skates. Great combo.

Anyway, we almost forgave United when they put out a series of three gorgeous animated commercials, each designed and directed by Academy-Award-winning-or-nominated animators. Art and design blog Two if by See has a post containing video and images from the three spots, as well as some info about the creators. Our personal fave is "Sea Orchestra" by South African directing team Shy the Sun. See the full one minute spot here.

United Airlines Campaign at Two if by See

Banksy's Beauty in New Orleans

First, sorry for the lack of posts recently. PopDrawer was on vacation. But we're back, and posting should be much more prolific.

We return with Banksy. What better way to come back? Thanks to Amy Crehore's blog for pointing us in the right direction. British street artist and museum-collected fine artist Banksy has been hanging around New Orleans apparently, as some poignant and beautiful works are popping up all over the city. It's really amazing stuff. Take a look at more at Wooster Collective.







Banksy in New Orleans

Blab! the Art Show

Tim Biskup

Few people have been as big a part of the Pop Surreal movement as Monte Beauchamp. As the publisher and editor of the Blab! art and comic anthology. The Blab! books are consistently amazing, regularly including stunning art and graphic writing by the best in the business, including Gary Baseman, Tim Biskup, The Clayton Brothers, Daniel Clowes, Joe Coleman, Camille Rose Garcia, Peter Kuper, Mark Ryden, and Chris Ware.

Thanks to Julie Rasmussen at A Little Birdy Told Me, we bring you a preview of the fourth Group Annual Art Exhibition featuring work from the next issue of Blab! And the list of artists is as phenomenal as always. This year's roster includes Baseman, Shag, Travis Louie, Ron English, Luke Chueh, Gary Taxali, Kevin Scalzo, Mark Todd and a whole lot more.

The show opens September 6th at 8 PM at Copro/Nason Gallery. And here's the preview. All art is for sale.


Shag

The Blab! Show at Copro/Nason

Crazy 4 Cult 2 - Big Secret!

I would love to post some art from the 2nd annual Crazy 4 Cult show at Gallery 1988 in Los Angeles, but they aren't posting much until sometime today or tonight. The show, which is a tribute to cult films where over 100 artists (many of our faves) reinterpret some of greatest classics. The show is hosted by writer/director/actor/provocateur Kevin Smith and his Clerks cast-mate Kevin Mosier.

Here's what we do know. Expect art by Carlos Ramos, Chris Reccardi, Sas and Colin Christian, Edwin Ushiro, Noferin, Scott Campbell, Shaunna Peterson, Travis Louis, Yoskay Yamamoto, and so many more. It's sure to be a fantastic event. The show opens tonight, August 22nd, at 7 PM.

Crazy 4 Cult 2 at Gallery 1988

"I Am 8-Bit" Prints at A Paper Tiger

Scott Belcastro

A Paper Tiger has become the official home for prints from the wildly successful "I am 8-Bit" show at World of Wonder, a show which invited a boatload of great artists to create an homage to the video games they played as kids, from Atari to Nintendo to Colecovision...

Now a chosen few of those works will be turned into limited prints by A Paper Tiger. And the first two have just arrived. Scott Belcastro brings us "Link vs. Gannon" while Scott C. gives us “Great Showdowns (of the 8-Bit Era).”

Mr. Belcastro's "Link vs. Gannon" is a 12" x 12" print in a run of 50 prints, and it goes for $100. Mr. C.'s piece is actually a set of five mini-prints (featuring Donkey Kong, Frogger, Tetris, and others) and comes in edition of 30, also for $100.

Get them now, because soon it will be Game Over.



I am 8-Bit Prints at A Paper Tiger

Baseman's Creamy - A Few More Now For Sale!

Go now! Go now!

Yesterday a new limited edition figure by Gary Baseman based on his ice cream cone character Creamy went on sale at Fully Visual. Only 100 were available. It sold out in minutes.

But due to some people ordering more than one (against the rules, you selfish bastiges!), there are a few left NOW. But they won't last long. Get one HERE for $130. Last chance. Going... going...

Gary Baseman's Creamy Figure (that sounds dirty)

Buff Monster Attacks Corey Helford Gallery

Buff Monster returns to Los Angeles where he once defaced the streets with his "his trademark imagery in Superflat style, blending pink, black, and metallic silver shapes into an array of squirting scenes. But this time he's doing it indoors (as he has been doing for some time now, actually). Corey Helford Gallery brings Buff Monster's new show “The Sweetest Thing” on Saturday, August 23, and it will run from 7 to 10pm and be on view until September 2, 2008.

"Inspired by heavy metal, porn, kaiju, Japanese kawai culture, and ice cream, Buff Monster is known for changing the land-scapes of Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Barcelona with his iconic Buff Monster character... Buff Monster’s “Pepto-pink” palette bursts into action with a kaleidoscope of geometric patterns, kaiju-inspired characters, and kanji translations of Buff Monsterism’s such as Lick It Up and Extra Creamy."

Along with his new paintings, Buff Monster will have a new limited-edition signed and numbered serigraph on opening night.

Buff Monster's "The Sweetest Thing" at Corey Helford Gallery

Cool New Deathbots

Gama-Go is offering up two new toys for your purchasing pleasure. Say hello to Deathbot Undertaker and Deathtective. "One's got all the creepy powers of the newly departed the other packs the cold hard heat of Smith and Wesson. They're booth made of wood, have bendable arms & legs and come in a new snazzariffic box."

Both come in at 5.5", but one is a limited edition, while the other is not. Deathbot Undertaker is an open edition and goes for $22, while Deathtective is limited to only $400 and goes for $60. Get you death while it's hot!

New Deathbots at Gama-Go

Interview with Susie Ghahremani

my love for you is a stampede of horses has a great interview Susie Ghahremani, creator of BoyGirlParty.com, whose solo show "The Wild Life" opened at GR2 in LA on Saturday August 18th.

Enjoy the interview and pics, and then go see the show at GR2, and while you're there (if you live in L.A.) buy some very cool art and... stuff.

Susie Ghahremani's "The Wild Life" at GR2



BoyGirlParty.com

"Buried Beneath Me" Opens at Project:Gallery

Rebecca Urias

Friends United Network (FUN) is a mysterious organization of artists with an even more mysterious website occasionally selling art tees and announcing group shows and events, without saying much about who they are or what they do, other than running with wolves and climbing the highest mountains (?). But we THINK they are Derek Albeck, Rebecca Urias, Ken Garduno, and others.

And this weekend (starting Saturday August 16th from 7-10 PM) they will be opening a show entitled "Buried Beneath Me" at project:gallery. This is how the show is described:

"The concept for the exhibition is the idea of being "buried" - and not necessarily in a morbid way. The main body of work will be a reflection on the simple beauties which are so often overlooked in our fast-paced lives, emphasizing that we are a relatively small, but important, part of a larger collective consciousness. The hope is that this show will help the viewer recognize the playful joys of living despite being "Buried" under a mound of superimposed social constraints."

Mr. Albeck, Ms. Urias, and Mr. Garduno will be showing new works, along with six other artists. The preview can be seen here. And the prices are very affordable. So go have some F.U.N. this weekend.


Ian Mailhot

"Buried Beneath Me" at project:gallery

New Jordan Crane Prints

Boing Boing has a post about two new prints being offered by artist and comic book creator Jordan Crane.

"Jordan Crane, one of my favorite illustrators, has just posted two new prints. He says, "They're both a little more extravagant than usual, 6 and 7 color instead of the usual 3 or 4."

They are both 26" x 40", pulled and signed by Jordan, in limited editions of 100, and go for $125 each.



New Jordan Crane Prints

Yukimo Kayukawa Howls in San Francisco

Another showstopper from Yumiko Kayukawa is set to open this Saturday, August 16th, at the Shooting Gallery in San Francisco. Yumiko's eye-popping blend of fashion illustration style, sharp iconic graphics, and vibrant flora and fauna is coming out for "Japanese Wolf" (the wolf is a frequent subject of her paintings).

As usual, her dense and dramatic images dazzle, and as usual her show is bound to sell out. If you would like to purchase a piece, contact Justin@shootinggallerysf.com right away.

The Shooting Gallery this Saturday from 7 to 11 PM. Enjoy!



Yumiko Kayukawa's "Japanese Wolf" at the Shooting Gallery

New Ana Bagayan Painting -- Proceeds to Charity

Ana Bagayan has just posted a new painting on her website and announced the all proceeds from the sale will go to a children's scholarship fund she is creating to encourage children to pursue art. The lovely (and somewhat unnerving) painting, titled Mischa, is going for $1500.

"Mischa" by Ana Bagayan

Luciano Civettini's Fields of Nightmares

PopDrawer has a general leaning towards art that is readily available, being that we are so disgustingly materialistic and acquisitive. But today we focus on an artists whose works are generally not easily accessed by those of us here in America simply due to the fact that the artist resides in Italy and shows mostly in Europe. Hopefully, however, more exposure in the States will begin to change that sad fact (sad for North Americans, at least) by bringing the stunning work of Luciano Civettini closer to us.

Mr. Civettini lives and paints in Rovereto, Italy, but has had solo shows from Italy to nearby EU nations Germany, France, and Austria, to far-flung Dubai. He has been showing for over 10 years, and while his early work was influenced primarily by the surrealism of Magritte and Dali, he has been lately leaning in a more Surreal Pop direction.

The artist says that his newest paintings delve into the myths of the '70s and '80s, and feature images of innocents -- children and animals -- cavorting in idyllic fields and forests, but with shadows of war and violence hovering menacingly.

Mr. Civettini's website is in Italian, but the images are universal.







Luciano Civettini's Official Site

Another Great Salon at Sloan Fine Art

Joe Sorren

Part 3 of the Summer Salon series opens on Wednesday, August 13th at Sloan Fine Art, and it's one of the best line-ups yet! Joe Sorren! Mark Ryden! Eric White! Not to mention Scott Brooks, Dame Darcy, Steve Ellis and Tony Shore!

Really, how often is it that you have a chance to purchase an original Sorren, Ryden or White? Pretty damn rare.


Eric White

Summer Salon Part 3 at Sloan Fine Art

Jeff Soto's Brain Decay

We were going to post this today anyway, but Sketchypad.com got to it first, so here's a link to their story.

From Sketchypad: "Jeff Soto introduced his “Brain Decay” zine at the San Diego Comic-Con, and is now making it available at potatostamp.com for $12 plus shipping. The 24 page zine is composed of drawings and painting experiments from late 2007-2008."

Jeff Soto's New Zine at Sketchypad.com

Stella Im Hultberg Show at Thinkspace

Rapidly rising artist Stella Im Hultberg brings her tormented beauties to Thinkspace Gallery in Los Angeles this weekend with her new show "Raveled."

From the press release: "Having grown up in Hong Kong, Korea, and Taiwan, Hultberg became a big fan of traditional Asian animation and was particularly drawn to the style featured in magna comics. Her work is a blend of old and new styles and techniques. There are strong classical elements in her work as well as a clear Asian influence in regard to her choice of materials and her use of calligraphic marks. There is also a very strong connection to expressionist artists such as Gustav Klimpt and Egon Schiele."

And her work is gaining lots of fans. Her name is one you hear in the Surreal Pop discussion boards. Her work is still affordable, but prices are going up. This show is sure to be a sellout. Opening reception is Friday, August 8th, from 7-11 PM.



Stella Im Hultberg's "Raveled" at Thinkspace Gallery Sneak Peek

Travis Louis x Pressure Printing

Pressure Printing releases another new piece today, this time from master monster maker Travis Louie. The portrait "Bride of Stan" is an intaglio print encased in a cast resin frame. This print was made in conjunction with Hi-Fructose Magazine and is only available through them. The size is 8 3/4"x 6 3/4". Bride of Stan is limited to 50. Cost? $350. Better get your fast!

Travis Louie's Bride of Stan Print

Billy Shire Gives Good Tour

Photo Via Sketchypad.com

Just received this notice:

"Join Billy Shire for an exclusive walk-through of the current exhibition "In the Land of Retinal Delights: The Juxtapoz Factor" at the Laguna Art Museum on August 10, at 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm. Tour is free with Museum admission."

"Shire, a well-respected figure in the lowbrow art scene, is the owner and founder of Billy Shire Fine Arts and La Luz de Jesus Gallery. He is largely responsible for fostering a new school of artists in Los Angeles, prompting JUXTAPOZ Magazine to dub him "the Peggy Guggenheim of Lowbrow."

No better person to follow through this exhibit. Mr. Shire is a legend.

In the Land of Retinal Delights: The Juxtapoz Factor" at the Laguna Art Museum

Project 57 Show

Tara McPherson

Over at Sleeps to Dream is a post about the Project 57 show at Distinction Gallery that opens on August 9th. According to the excellent blog: "Part of the proceeds from certain artists will go to benefit a charity for Lewy Body Dementia. All pieces will be 5" x 7". The amazing line-up of artists includes Glenn Barr, Yoko d'Holbachie, Audrey Kawasaki, Tara McPherson, Scott Musgrove, Amy Sol... just far too many to mention here. It's all for a good cause, so buy yourself something small and beautiful.


Audrey Kawasaki

Project 57 Post at Sleeps to Dream

Lucky New Yorkers!

Most of us picked up a crayon and drew on our walls at some point in our childhood. Lots of us got a good smack when we did it, too. And yet now, we pay people good money to come and paint pictures all over the walls. These days mural artists make a good living painting pictures all over nursery walls. When artist Ami Suma moved to America from Tokyo as a teenager, she was amazed to discover that Americans paint their own walls, whereas in Tokyo walls are typically covered with a plastic wallpaper. Remembering her childhood wish to create an imaginary dreamland in her own bedroom, she turned that wish into a business -- painting playful murals in your child's room. While Ms. Suma continues to work as a fashion editor for numerous Japanese fashion pubs, she is available for mural consultation and painting in the New York area. And all this with non-toxic zero-V.O.C. paint.

Ami Suma's Website

The Reports of Tiki's Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated

Tiki-style may not be dead, but don't tell that to world-famous mortuary Forest Lawn. Because beginning August 8th at the Forest Lawn Museum (museum?!) at the cemetery's Glendale, CA location, Forest Lawn will present "The Exotic World of Tiki Art." Decribed as " a fascinating juxtaposition between the old and the new, between the traditional Oceanic art made by the native peoples of the Pacific Islands and the entire gamut of second-generation Pan-Polynesian artifacts that embellished restaurants and bars from the 1940s through the mid-1970s," the 5-month exhibition will feature " traditional Oceanic Tikis, featuring Polynesian, Micronesian, and Melanesian figurative carvings and photography of Tiki archeology in their original settings; Tiki Americana, featuring 20th century American carvings and paintings in the spirit of the romantic South Seas; and current 21st century tiki artists."

And what a list of artists! Mark Ryden, Shag, Anthony Ausgang, and many more. And the show will be curated by art and tiki experts Jeff Fox and Douglas Nason of Copro/Nason Gallery. The museum is located at 1712 S. Glendale Avenue, Glendale, CA 91205, and admission is free. For more info, call 1-800-204-3131.

The Exotic World of Tiki Art at the Forest Lawn Museum

Chris Peters at Copro/Nason Gallery

Next Saturday, August 9th, sees the opening of Chris Peters and Martin Wittfooth solo shows in separate rooms at Copro/Nason in Santa Monica. PopDrawer finds Chris Peter's paintings particularly enjoyable. We're sure you can see the pattern here in the two images. See the preview for more.

From the press release: "Chris's paintings try to find the beauty in that uneasy twilight place between life and death, between reality and unreality, between self and what the write H.P. Lovecraft called "the others". The objects in the paintings draw from the classic symbolism of Vanitas stil life and catholic relegious paintings; and all refer to the cycle of life, death and the promise of resurrection."



Chris Peters Show "The End and After" at Copro Nason Gallery

BLAB! Art Show and Retrospective

Boing Boing has a post about the BLAB! Magazine Retrospective Art Show at Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art in Kansas. Mark Frauenfelder wrote an essay for the show's catalog. The show opened August 1st, and the 128 page catalog is sure to be a good collectible. We'll post info about its availability as soon as we can.

Boing Boing Post about the Blab! Show

New Street Art Book Posted at Sketchypad.com

Speaking of Os Gemeos (see below), Mike at awesome art blog Sketchypad has posted info on an upcoming Street Art book by Cedar Lewisohn. Looks like a winner!

From Sketchypad: "Cedar Lewisohn has written the first account of Street Art, tracing its history from cave painting through to the vibrant art emerging today on the walls of London, Madrid and Sao Paolo, via Brassai’s photographs of 1920s Paris and Basquiat and Haring’s New York."

"Street Art" at Sketchypad.com

Os Gemeos Show Report

Little Hokum Blog, the blog of artist Amy Crehore, has an interesting show report from Amy's visit to the Os Gemeos show at Deitch Projects in NYC. Check it out!

Os Gemeos Show Report at Little Hokum Blog

New Camilla D'Errico Print at A Paper Tiger

Canadian artist Camilla D'Errico has a new print at A Paper Tiger titled "Malificent." It's a tiny edition of just 25. At 12" x 14" and signed and numbered by the artist, the print is only $100.

From the A Paper Tiger website: "Her work is characterized by an emotional complexity that spans the full array of human emotions and touches the soul. She is part of what may be the first art movement in Western history where women are not second-class citizens, but may even have an edge in the mind of the public, especially when it comes to capturing the essence that is woman."

Camilla D'Errico Print at A Paper Tiger